Brian Jeffrey
On October 2, the Regional Veterinary Office VI, along with other authorities, inspected the Mango Garden tourist destination in Phuoc Tan Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province. This inspection was prompted by the worrying deaths of 20 tigers and one leopard within a month.
The situation has attracted considerable public attention due to the unusual number of animal fatalities. Initial investigations by the Animal Health Station in Bien Hoa have included clinical tests and autopsies on two of the deceased tigers, with pneumonia suspected as a cause, although final test results are awaited.
Nguyen Truong Giang, the head of Dong Nai’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, confirmed that the Mango Garden facility conducted autopsies and has since frozen the animal remains. He noted that the tourist site is worried about the number of deceased tigers and has reached out for appropriate disposal methods due to limitations in storage. Giang also reassured the public that all carcasses are accounted for, dispelling rumors of any being taken for other purposes.
Despite the losses, the Mango Garden still reportedly has 22 healthy tigers, per the Bien Hoa City Forest Protection Department, while investigations into the causes of death continue.
Additionally, the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City has launched an urgent investigation following reports of multiple big cat deaths, including tigers and lions, in Dong Nai and Long An provinces, especially after some tested positive for the A/H5N1 avian influenza virus.
On the same day, the Pasteur Institute reported on the situation at the Mango Garden, including findings from My Quynh Zoo in Long An where certain big cats were confirmed positive for A/H5N1. In total, My Quynh Zoo noted 30 big cat deaths since August, including 27 tigers and three lions. Some of the previously mentioned tigers had been transferred from Mango Garden.
The Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center confirmed the presence of the A/H5N1 virus in samples collected from the tigers at My Quynh Zoo as of August 16.
In Dong Nai, reports indicate that 11 Bengal tigers and one black panther have died. Clinical evaluations and autopsies on two tigers pointed towards pneumonia; however, final test outcomes are still pending.
Authorities are keeping a close watch on 30 individuals who had been in contact with these tigers, although no respiratory illnesses have emerged among them. Nguyen Vu Thuong, Deputy Director of the Pasteur Institute, stressed the need for cooperation between veterinary and forestry sectors to reduce the risk of any human transmission, with monitoring measures extended to zookeepers and staff who interacted with the animals.
Bach Duong – Hoang Anh
